Couple Sees This Old, Abandoned Dog And Instantly Falls In Love

"Here was this tiny, 3 pound, skinny, shaky, wobbly little dog that someone had just decided to leave in a box."

A disabled, old Chihuahua named Mr. Crowley, formerly known as Mouse, has a mysterious past - and an unshakeable spirit.

"Mr. Crowley was abandoned in a box in at 12 years old," his new mom, Raquel Fernandes, told The Dodo. A volunteer for the Westchester SPCA in New York found him and brought him to get help at the shelter last May.

The tiny Chihuahua was obviously suffering from some problems.

"He had a mouth full of rotten teeth, a rotting lower jaw, damaged trachea and Luxating patella, which made it difficult for him to walk even short distances without picking up his rear leg," Fernandes said.

The shelter named him Mouse. Mouse sat for six weeks waiting for a home. Visitors seemed to want only younger, more energetic dogs.

Raquel Fernandes

But then one day in early summer, Fernandes and her husband arrived at the shelter looking for someone just like Mouse. "My husband and I had been looking to provide a loving home for a senior dog," Fernandes said. "We knew that there were many of them that get left at shelters due to health issues, and don't have a high chance of adoption."

While Fernandes and her husband didn't have any specific breed in mind, through their research they had found out that there were many Chihuahuas in shelters. "We knew then that we had to get one of these little guys out of the shelter and into our home," Fernandes said.

But it wasn't as easy to find a dog as they thought it would be. "A lot of the adoptions had fallen through, or there were no responses, and we honestly were getting a little disappointed with the entire experience," Fernandes said. "Then, after deciding to look [online] one last time, I saw little Mouse."

Raquel Fernandes

When Fernandes read that he was 12 years old, had only 2 teeth and got along with everyone, she had a really good feeling about him. "I thought to myself, 'I think we found him.'"

On the ride home from the shelter | Raquel Fernandes

The couple drove up from Lyndhurst, New Jersey to the Westchester SPCA to meet Mouse in person. "Initially, we just wanted to meet him and see if we would be a good fit together," Fernandes said, remembering the first time she saw the dog who would become part of her family.

First bath at his new home | Raquel Fernandes

"When they first turned the corner with little Mouse in their arms, I was so excited, and kind of sad at the same time. Here was this tiny, 3 pound, skinny, shaky, wobbly little dog that someone had just decided to leave in a box," Fernandes said. "My heart just broke for him, and I knew right away, if he'd have us, we'd love him every single day of the rest of his life."

Raquel Fernandes

The couple took turns holding the shaky little Chihuahua, who reached out and gave Fernandes a lick on the nose. "That moment to us was joy, excitement and peace all at once," Fernandes said. "Anyone who has rescued a dog will agree, that moment is magic."

Raquel Fernandes

They renamed Mouse Mr. Crowley, after an Ozzy Osborne song. "Looking at Mouse making these little noises, and his little tongue sticking out, I just thought he kind of looked like a Crowley," Fernandes said.

Raquel Fernandes

Now Mr. Crowley enjoys a life of love and luxury. He accompanies Fernandes on errands in his favorite tote, so he can see the world. And at home he has a special spot on the couch where he loves to relax. He even has his own Instagram.

And as the couple gets to know the dog who entered their home, they're realizing that they didn't just do him a favor - he's teaching them about hardship.

"How can this little guy be so open to loving and trusting us, even with all that has happened in his past?" Fernandes said. "We thought we were going to do something good for a dog in need, and turns out, Crowley is the one showing us what unconditional love, forgiveness, trust and patience really are."

Raquel Fernandes

If you're ready to add a furry family member to your home, visit Adopt-A-Pet to get started.